As the world transitions to more sustainable forms of energy, the North Atlantic Group of Companies (NARL Marketing and NARL Logistics) of St. John’s, NL, is not just transitioning along with it — it’s helping lead the way towards a cleaner, greener future.

Says NARL Marketing’s President Ted Lomond: “We have the track record and the infrastructure to support new wind turbine, green hydrogen and ammonia development in the province.”

Adds NARL Logistics’ CEO Jaime Beach, “Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to become a global leader, and we are strategically aligned to support that process.”

Now, the North Atlantic Group of Companies (North Atlantic) is making good on the promise with plans to build a new green energy hub in Placentia Bay near the NARL Logistics Storage and Marine Terminal in Come By Chance. The project entails the development of wind turbines on the isthmus of the Avalon Peninsula, providing a renewable energy source for the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia for domestic and international customers. Silverpeak, North Atlantic’s parent company, is an international firm with significant expertise in exporting to global markets as well as renewable energy development.

“With the refinery being converted into a renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel facility, this is a natural fit for us,” Lomond says. “Our association with the new owner of the refinery, Braya Renewable Fuels, provides us with strategic advantages. Our critical assets and unique synergies position us to benefit from clustering and direct market access. Bottom line: We have the capacity to kickstart a new green energy hub here.”

In business for more than 30 years, North Atlantic supplies gasoline, diesel, heating oil, propane and jet fuel to the province through global imports, and owns the North Atlantic and Orangestore-branded gas stations and convenience stores. It also owns and operates the storage and marine terminal located in Come By Chance, and has invested directly, and through its partnerships, over $1 billion into assets and projects there.

In fact, NARL Logistics’ infrastructure includes: A year-round ice-free port; two deep-water berths greater than 55 feet deep, and a third of 22 feet; tanker capacity of up to 326,000 DWT, including VLCC’s; a 7.3 mm bbl Tankfarm; over 3 mm bbl of available capacity for crude storage/transshipment; two 50-ton tugs stationed at the terminal; bunkering services; 24/7 full oil spill response capabilities, and fire and emergency response; a modern truck loading facility with two loading racks and ten arms.

“The terminal has spare capacity right now,” Beach said. “A green energy hub that makes use of these existing assets and resources will create significant opportunity for investment and economic development.”

Added Lomond: “The isthmus area is well suited for this purpose as it is home to some of the strongest and most consistent wind speeds in the country. We will see 200 MW to 300 MW of initial power generation grow to in excess of 600 MW.” Even during the initial phase, he noted, “the hub will facilitate the production of at least 154,000 metric tonnes of green ammonia per year” for export to Canadian, European, and other global markets.

Lomond and Beach anticipate a three-year timeline for obtaining all approvals and permits — including the mandatory leases on Crown land — necessary to put actual wind behind the sails of the new green energy hub, but neither are concerned.

“We’ve been advocating for wind and renewable energy for some time,” Beach says. “We already have a number of renewable energy projects out there. We have expertise in cleaner energy around renewable diesel standards. We’ve got the background and we are committed to developing energy solutions aligned with the needs of the world in which we live.”

Adds Lomond: “The world is in transition, and we’re not waiting for change to happen.”